God Directs Even When There’s Not Enough to Go Around

More Than What We Had – Part 3

Before you begin make sure you’ve completed the previous prayer-workout, click this link:
“Part 2 – God Directs Us Through Uncertainty Using People Who We’re Close To”

That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. “Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
– bible.com/bible/116/MAT.14.15-21.NLT

This is one of my favorite historical events to read about it. However, it provides us some insight as followers of Christ in what to do when we find ourselves not having enough. When we’re running short or out of food, supplies, or even money, what can you do? 

The disciples came to Jesus and said Master, we don’t have enough in this place to feed the crowd that’s gathered with us. There are over 5000 people here. Jesus looks at them and says you’re looking at this all wrong. It’s not necessary for you to get all bent out of shape, you can feed them. 

[Pray This]
Father, It’s so easy for us to see things from a natural perspective and forget that we’re no longer living by natural constraints and limitations. I think what You were saying to the disciples was to forget what the situation looks like. Don’t see it like a citizen of earth, but as a citizen of Heaven. On Earth there might be a shortage of supplies, but in Heaven there’s an abundant supply. So Lord, let what we need rain down on us from Heaven, in Your name.

Seeing what you have as not enough, isn’t enough. When you run short, take it to Jesus. Sometimes you’ll have no other choice, since there’s nowhere else to get what you need. When we take it to Jesus, ask Him to bless it, then begin to distribute it. No matter what your need is, give it to Him, He can bless it.

Pamela and I, years ago, found ourselves in financial hardships. We didn’t have enough money and didn’t know what we were going to do. God gave us this passage and it’s one we pray over our finances even today. We give our income to Jesus and ask Him to bless it so that it will be able to cover the multitude of financial obligations we have. Why don’t you try this prayer? Are you ready or do you need to take a break and come back. Otherwise, let’s do it.

[Pray This]
Lord, I give You my paycheck. I know in the natural world it’s not enough for the multitude of financial obligations we have. So I ask You to take it and call it blessed. We’re not just calling it blessed, we’ve taken the tithe from it and have given it to You so that it is truly blessed. And with that, we believe that as we distribute it over the multiple financial obligations, it meets every need. I know that You won’t stop there, but at the end of it, You will in return distribute twelve baskets of leftovers. We have leftovers. Leftover food, Leftover water. Leftover resources. Leftover income. We thank You that our leftovers are more than what we had from the start, in Jesus’ name!